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“Nervous? You?” Ellie couldn’t help but scoff. “There was nothing that said you were nervous around me when we were talking before?”
“I know. I don’t really know why I’m like that.” North glanced towards the door. “Do you think I could stay for a little longer? Actually talk to you without you having to run off and deal with your sisters?”
Ellie knew she should be telling him no, and that she was focused on her sisters. They were her priority. But this was the second time he had brought her flowers, and he had purchased her favourite flowers. Because of their significance, no one else had done that before, yet North was happy to do it for her. Ellie was touched.
So, instead of telling him that he should leave, Ellie found herself nodding.
“Alright. My aunt is taking a nap, and my sisters are making the most of a quiet afternoon. I don’t think we’ll be disturbed, unless you want a chaperone for me.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” North chuckled. “The chaperone does not need her own chaperone.”
“It saves people whispering about us in dark corners.”
“Given my reputation, I don’t really care about that. But if it would make you feel better…”
Ellie thought for a moment. It would be a good idea to find her aunt or one of her sisters to sit in with them, but Ellie didn’t want to deal with her sisters giggling in the background, and she was sure her aunt would be giving her knowing looks. This was something she wanted to keep to herself for a while.
“Eleanora?” North was watching her curiously. “Do you want me to fetch one of your sisters?”
“No.” Ellie was surprised at the word coming out of her mouth. She shook her head. “We don’t need that. But I would suggest that we go for a walk out in the garden.”
“Of course. Whatever you want.”
At least he was being accommodating. To Ellie, it felt like the walls were closing in around her with North being so close. Trying not to clutch onto the bouquet of carnations and squash them, Ellie mumbled something and ducked out of the room, finding a maid going past.
“Sally, could you find something to put these in? And put them in my bedchamber?”
“Yes, my lady, but…” Sally was staring at the flowers. “Are you sure you want yellow carnations in your bedchamber? That could be bad luck.”
“They’re just flowers, Sally. And could you do as I asked, please?”
“Yes, my lady.” Sally took the bouquet and curtsied. “I’ll see to these immediately.”
Ellie could see the opinions in the young woman’s head going round and round, wondering what was going on. At this point, Ellie didn’t care who thought she was going mad. She stepped back into the drawing room to find North still where she had left him.
“If you’ll come with me, my lord? We can take a turn around the garden.”
North followed her through the house and outside, stepping onto the terrace. He stood there, looking out over the colourful garden.
“Considering the size, there’s a lot going on,” he commented.
“I know. I’m surprised we can actually move around.” Ellie pointed at a path that disappeared among the bushes. “There is a path that goes around the entire garden, and the gardener does trim everything back, but it’s like fighting a losing battle at times.”
“Our garden is a lot bigger, and there is not as much happening as there is here.” North winced. “Forgive me, I sounded rather arrogant, didn’t I?”
“You’re an earl, so you would naturally have a bigger house.”
“I didn’t want to make you feel less, though.”
Ellie smiled. “I don’t feel less. Status is always there, but it isn’t something I’m comfortable with. I prefer to talk to others on a level playing field, in a manner of speaking. Money, status… when it comes down to it, we’re all pretty much the same.”
North raised his eyebrows. “That’s what you believe, is it?”
“Pretty much. It should be the mentality of everyone. I wish my great-aunt would have that mindset. Then maybe she shouldn’t be such a crotchety, rude old bat.”
North choked on a laugh. “I must say, I’m surprised at your candid words, Lady Eleanora.”
“When it’s just the two of us, you can call me Ellie.” Ellie wrinkled her nose. “Eleanora is far too much of a mouthful.”
